The Senate is set to recess today until after the elections, having taken no action on President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee, Chief Judge Merrick Garland. This is the longest time period in U.S. history that a Supreme Court nominee has been pending without hearings or a vote.

“I think most of us understand that if you take months of vacation, then fail to fulfill your responsibilities while on the job, and then take off for another long break, you get fired,” said PFAW Executive Vice President Marge Baker. “But the Senate Republicans have set different rules for themselves. After their longest summer vacation in 60 years, they’re recessing again without having even scheduled hearings for Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland. They’re playing politics instead of doing their jobs, and voters will hold them accountable for this by voting against those who are up for re-election this year.”

To schedule an interview with Marge Baker, please email media@pfaw.org.

People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and defend constitutional values including free expression, religious liberty, equal justice under the law, and the right to meaningfully participate in our democracy.